Whether you’d like to kick back with a spy thriller or a biography, or you have kids hungry for popular young adult novels, free books are available to satisfy your literary cravings at several outdoor kiosks scattered around town.
Three of these outposts follow the model of Little Free Library, a nonprofit that has spawned a network of more than 150,000 book exchanges around the world since its founding in 2009. The other is a gift to the community managed by the owners of a liquor store.
Here’s where to find them:
Playland Boardwalk (mounted on wall beneath stairs to pool)
When the national Little Free Library organization gave a kiosk to children’s literacy advocate Molly Ness as a gift in 2021, she located it near the Westchester Children’s Museum thinking that would be “a magnet for people with children who could benefit from free books.”
Ness regularly replenishes the kiosk with adult and children’s publications she receives as an advisor to Penguin Random House. Like all of the book sharers interviewed, Ness said she has been pleasantly surprised by how many people contribute volumes and that no one has vandalized the outlet.
54 Cedar Place (between Maple Drive and Goldwin Street)
This whimsical book nook was created in 2019 by Elizabeth Knowles, the former operator of an adjacent daycare center, with grant funding from the Childcare Council of Westchester. Originally envisioned as a repository for children’s books, the kiosk is now overflowing with volumes for readers of all ages.
498 Forest Avenue (in front of G. Griffin Wine & Spirits on sunny days)
Georgina and Frank Wang quickly agreed to continue hosting a popular “give-one take-one” book collection when they purchased G. Griffin Wine & Spirits recently. Featuring over 200 titles, their double-sided library cart boasts the largest collection of free books in Rye.
Georgina Wang said she was charmed by neighborhood enthusiasm for the library, but didn’t quite know what to do with two contributions of encyclopedia sets too big to display on the cart.
Entrance to Disbrow Park Off Oakland Beach Avenue
This well-stocked kiosk is a bit of a mystery. Although an official charter number from Little Free Library adorns the green unit, it is not registered with the organization. That has not stopped residents from keeping it well stocked with titles such as “The General and Julia,” “Latke The Lucky Dog” and “The Cat Who Came For Christmas.”
To find book exchanges in nearby towns or wherever your travels may take you, visit the Little Free Library world map at https://littlefreelibrary.org/map/
